McNary, LA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for McNary, Rapides County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits McNary?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 157 days in the Rapides forecast zone and Rapides County — the most common reported hazard around McNary, mostly in June and April. Next come flash flooding (46 days) and lightning casualties & damage (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 157 | Jun 2026 | Apr 10, 2024 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Jun 2026 | Aug 13, 2016 · 1 death · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Aug 2025 | Jul 10, 2016 · 1 death |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 9 | Oct 2020 | Aug 26, 2020 · 3 deaths · $500 million damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Mar 2016 | Jan 10, 2013 · $33 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 6 | Jan 2025 | Jan 1, 2001 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Sep 2023 | Jun 21, 2010 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2021 | Feb 3, 2011 · $1.0 million damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Rapides forecast zone and Rapides County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover McNary?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPOE (Fort Polk, LA), about 26 miles west-northwest. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over McNary | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPOE Fort Polk, LA | 26 mi west-northwest | 1,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLCH Lake Charles, LA | 71 mi south-southwest | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KSHV Shreveport, LA | 125 mi northwest | 13,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near McNary
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 113 tornadoes within 25 miles of McNary, 33 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in December and April. The strongest was an F4 on December 3, 1953, which passed about 25 miles northwest of town and caused 9 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on December 28, 2024, which touched down about 23 miles west of town.
Hail: 110 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on June 20, 2023.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get McNary's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
McNary radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to McNary, LA?
KPOE (Fort Polk, LA), about 26 miles west-northwest. KLCH (Lake Charles, LA) is 71 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in McNary?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over McNary the lowest scan from KPOE is about 1,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for McNary free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for McNary, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Glenmora, LA radar 1 mi
- Oakdale, LA radar 13 mi
- Woodworth, LA radar 13 mi
- Pine Prairie, LA radar 17 mi
- Alexandria, LA radar 22 mi
- Bunkie, LA radar 23 mi
- Pineville, LA radar 26 mi
- Mamou, LA radar 26 mi
- Ville Platte, LA radar 28 mi
- Oberlin, LA radar 29 mi